Electricity prices across Australia are set to rise for millions of households starting in July 2025. With costs already soaring in many parts of the country, the latest hikes are expected to add significant pressure on consumers’ already strained budgets.
The three largest electricity retailers in Australia—Origin, AGL, and EnergyAustralia—have all confirmed price increases that will take effect in the coming months. For some households, these rises could mean an additional $300 per year, further contributing to the nation’s ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Price Increases Hit Multiple States
According to recent reports, price hikes will impact households in New South Wales (NSW), Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The rises vary by retailer and state, but the impact will be widespread.
AGL, the second-largest electricity retailer in Australia, confirmed an increase of 13.5% in NSW. This will translate to an average annual rise of $267 for the average household. In South Australia, the increase will be around 7.8%, adding approximately $200 to annual costs.
Meanwhile, Queensland households can expect a 7.5% rise, which adds up to about $155 per year. Victorians will see a slightly smaller increase, with prices rising by 6.8% or around $110 annually.
Origin, Australia’s largest retailer, will implement price hikes in several states, including NSW, where customers will pay an additional $216 per year.
Prices in South Australia will increase by $122, and Queensland households will face a smaller rise of $72 annually. However, some states, including Victoria, have not yet finalised their rates, adding an element of uncertainty for consumers.
EnergyAustralia, the third-largest retailer, will also raise prices across the nation. In NSW, customers will see a 8.7% increase, translating to about $215 more per year.
Smaller increases will affect customers in Queensland and South Australia, with average annual rises of $53 and $73, respectively. In the ACT, the price hike will be one of the highest, at 11.6%, pushing annual costs up by $231.
The Pressure of Rising Living Costs
The latest round of price hikes comes on the heels of a broader trend of rising living costs across Australia. According to analysts, the price increases are largely driven by higher network charges, increased wholesale electricity costs, and rising expenses for servicing customers. Retailers have stated that these factors are largely out of their control.
For many households, the timing of these increases couldn’t be worse, as they coincide with the rising cost of essential goods and services. With average annual electricity costs up by as much as $360 since June 2023, these latest price hikes will further stretch budgets.
While the federal government has extended its energy bill relief programme, many consumers will still feel the strain, with government assistance falling short of covering the full impact of the hikes.
Energy price increases have become a contentious issue in Australia, especially as many households already struggle to make ends meet. Consumer advocates argue that the current energy pricing system needs reform to better protect households from excessive price rises.
